It is 2026, and we are still talking about a game that came out on the PlayStation 2. Why? Because the original God of War 1 walkthrough isn't just a trip down memory lane; it’s a masterclass in level design that modern games often fail to replicate. Kratos didn't start as a tired dad. He was a ball of pure, unadulterated rage, and if you're jumping back into the Greek era, you probably realize pretty quickly that the game is harder than you remembered.
You can't just button-mash. Well, you can, but the Harpies will tear you apart by the time you reach Pandora’s Temple.
The Aegean Sea: More Than Just a Tutorial
Most people breeze through the opening ship sequence thinking it's just a warmup. Big mistake. This is where you set the tone for your entire run. The Hydra King isn't just a boss; it's a lesson in spacing. If you're looking for a solid God of War 1 walkthrough strategy here, focus on the "Plume of Prometheus" combo. That’s Square, Square, Triangle. It’s the bread and butter of the franchise for a reason. It knocks enemies back and deals heavy damage at the end of the string.
Don't forget the secret chests hidden behind the breakable wooden partitions in the hull. Most players miss the first few Gorgon Eyes because they're too busy sprinting toward the next cutscene. Collect them early. Honestly, having that extra health bar by the time you hit Athens makes the Medusa fight significantly less frustrating.
Navigating the Chaos of Athens
Athens is a sprawling mess of verticality and snipers. Those Undead Legionnaires with the bows? They are the absolute worst. Your priority should be getting the "Blades of Chaos" to Level 2 as fast as humanly possible.
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Dealing with Medusa
When you meet Aphrodite and she tasks you with killing Medusa, don't just stand there. Use the Hermes Rush (R1) to close the gap. When she starts her stone gaze, you have two options: roll like your life depends on it or use the jump-air-evade. If you get turned to stone and a minotaur is mid-swing, it's game over. One hit breaks you. It's brutal.
The Rooftops and the Zeus Bolt
Once you get the Zeus' Fury, the game changes. You finally have a ranged option. This is crucial for the "Rooftops of Athens" section. You'll encounter those annoying archers across wide gaps. Don't waste time trying to find a path to them immediately—just pelt them with bolts. It's faster. It's safer.
The Desert of Lost Souls: A Literal Headache
Everyone hates this part. You’re wandering around a sandstorm trying to hear the song of the Sirens. Pro tip: wear headphones. The directional audio in the original PS2 release (and the subsequent remasters) is actually decent. You can track the Sirens by the volume in your left or right ear.
Kill them with grabs (Circle button) when the prompt appears. It yields more magic orbs, and you’re going to need a full Blue Bar for the Desert's end. After you blow the horn and the Titan Cronos crawls over, you enter the real meat of the game: Pandora’s Temple.
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Pandora’s Temple: The Difficulty Spike
This is where a God of War 1 walkthrough usually becomes a survival guide. You are climbing a temple strapped to the back of a Titan. The stakes are high.
- The Challenge of Atlas: You have to haul a massive stone globe. It’s tedious. Watch out for the floor traps.
- The Challenge of Poseidon: This involves a lot of underwater swimming. Remember that you can dash underwater by holding R1. It saves time and helps you dodge the crushing blocks.
- The Challenge of Hades: Prepare for combat. Lots of it.
The "Climb of Hades" is arguably the most infamous part of the game. You know the one—the spinning towers of blades. If you graze a blade, you fall all the way to the bottom. There’s no trick here other than patience. Stop trying to rush. Observe the rotation, move two steps, and stop. It’s a test of nerves, not skill.
Managing Your Red Orbs
Let's talk about upgrades because people mess this up constantly. You might be tempted to level up the Blade of Artemis as soon as you get it from Artemis. Don't. It’s a cool sword, but the Blades of Chaos are objectively better for crowd control.
- Blades of Chaos to Level 3: This unlocks "Spirit of Hercules."
- Poseidon’s Rage: Get this to Level 2 early. It’s the best AoE (Area of Effect) magic in the game.
- Army of Hades: Save your orbs for this late-game magic. It literally plays the game for you during the final boss fight.
The Final Confrontation with Ares
The fight with Ares is a three-act play. Act one is a standard duel. Block his hammer swings, punish his recovery frames. Act two is the emotional gut-punch where you have to protect Kratos’ family from clones of himself.
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This is the hardest part of the game on Spartan or God mode. Use "Rage of the Gods" here. Don't save it. Use your magic to keep the clones away from the wife and child. If their health bar drops, hug them (Circle button) to transfer some of your health to them. It’s a risky move, but necessary.
Finally, the sword fight. You lose your magic. You lose your upgraded blades. It’s just you, a big glowing sword, and Ares. It becomes a game of "clash." When the prompts appear to mash Circle, you better be ready.
Actionable Insights for Your Next Run
To truly master the God of War 1 walkthrough experience, you need to think like a speedrunner but play like a completionist.
- Farm the Harpies: In the area right before you enter Pandora’s Temple, Harpies spawn infinitely until you plug the holes. Stay here for 10 minutes and just kill them. You’ll max out your blades before you even step inside.
- The Infinite Red Orb Glitch: If you're playing the original version, there's a legendary glitch with the bridge in Athens. If you kill a specific enemy in a specific spot, the orbs never stop flowing. Look it up if you want to break the game’s economy.
- Roll, Don't Walk: Rolling is faster than running. Always.
- Contextual Kills: Always finish minotaurs with the "Circle" mini-game. It gives you green health orbs. If you just slash them to death, you get nothing but red orbs. In a game with no regenerating health, those green orbs are your best friend.
Get back in there. Ares isn't going to dethrone himself. Focus on the timing of your parries (tapping L1 just as the hit lands) and you'll find that Kratos is just as lethal today as he was decades ago. Start by checking your settings—ensure your "wide screen" mode is actually on if you're playing the HD collection, as it significantly helps with your peripheral vision during the crowded fights in the Rings of Pandora. Afterward, prioritize finding the Muse Keys; they unlock the health and magic fountains that make the endgame's brutal gauntlets actually survivable.